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If you’re interested in earning an online criminal justice degree, you’ve come to the right place. CriminalJusticeColleges.com will help you figure out not only what type of criminal justice program is best for you but also which school best matches your needs.
A criminal justice degree is one of the most popular online options and also one of the most versatile. There are many different careers you can pursue upon earning a criminal justice degree from crime scene investigator (CSI) to attorney, if you decide to go on to law school; there is more information on these careers below.
The term "criminal justice" encompasses everything that has to do with the legal system, including the apprehension, arrest, prosecution, defense, punishment, incarceration, and rehabilitation of criminals. As people become increasingly concerned about both public and private safety, the criminal justice field is growing as well; it is consistently one of the hottest career fields in America and expected to grow even more through the next decade.
No matter what your interest is in the legal system, a degree from one of the many online criminal justice colleges can help pave the way for an exciting, successful career in your chosen field.
Are you ready to learn more about criminal justice careers and how to choose the right online criminal justice college for you? Read on.
What types of degrees do online criminal justice colleges offer?
Online criminal justice colleges offer degrees at every level of education, including the following:
- Certificate
- Associate degree
- Bachelor’s degree
- Master’s degree
- Doctorate degree
What disciplines are offered at online criminal justice colleges?
Although many schools have general criminal justice programs, you can also find courses of study that concentrate in specific aspects of the criminal justice system. Some of the disciplines covered at online criminal justice colleges include the following:
- Corrections
- Crime Scene Investigation (CSI)
- Criminal Justice Administration
- Cybercrime
- Emergency Preparedness and Management
- Forensic Psychology
- Forensic Science
- Homeland Security
- Juvenile Justice
- Law Enforcement
- Legal Studies
- Legal Transcription
- Law
- Paralegal Studies
- Public Safety
- Security
What qualifications do I need to attend criminal justice colleges?
Most criminal justice college require applicants to have a high school diploma or its equivalent, such as a GED. You may also be required to submit scores from standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT. Make sure you read individual program descriptions carefully.
What are courses at online criminal justice colleges like?
Your courses will depend on the type of degree and specialty you pursue; often, in addition to criminal justice courses you will also be required to complete general educational requirements. You may also be required to complete an internship or other on-the-job experience as part of your degree requirements, so be sure to compare and contrast several programs and choose the one that best fits your needs.
Online criminal justice courses usually have assigned readings, discussions, papers, and tests just like traditional college courses, but much of it you will be able to complete on your schedule; accordingly you should have excellent time management skills and self-discipline if you want to succeed in online courses.
Why study criminal justice online?
Distance education is one of the best ways to start a new career path or advance in your current field; studying online has many advantages over traditional learning, including the following:
- Study at your own pace and on your own schedule and budget
- Continue working full-time or part-time
- Save money on tuition, books, and transportation
- Make yourself a more attractive job candidate
Moreover, you may also be eligible for financial aid, so there’s no reason to put off furthering your education if you’re otherwise ready to go forward.
What types of criminal justice careers are there?
As noted above, criminal justice covers a broad field of potential careers. Most entry-level jobs in criminal justice require a bachelor’s degree, but some employers accept an associate degree or certificate and then provide on-the-job training.
Overall, a degree in criminal justice is one of the smartest investments you can make as criminal justice jobs are expected to grow at a rate faster than the average through the next decade according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); some of the careers expected to see the best growth include the following:
- Gaming surveillance officers: 34%
- Paralegals and legal assistants: 22%
- Private investigators: 18%
- Correctional officers: 16%
- Police officers and detectives: 11%
Some of the most popular criminal justice careers include the following:
- Correctional officers
- Parole officers
- Probation officers
Those who work with physical evidence to help solve crimes:
- Crime scene investigators and technicians
- Forensic scientists
- Forensic nurses
- Forensic technicians
Those who work in the justice system to ensure speedy, fair trials:
- Bailiffs
- Court clerks
- Court reporters
- Judges
- Lawyers
- Legal assistants
- Legal transcribers
- Paralegals
- Armored car guards
- Bounty hunters
- Federal agents (Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security)
- Detectives
- Game wardens
- Immigration officials
- Police officers
- Private investigators
- Security guards
- Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team members
If you’re ready for an exciting career in criminal justice, get started by taking a look around CriminalJusticeColleges.com today!